Pre-Season F1 Testing in Bahrain: Russell Tops Final Day

George Russell topped the final day in Bahrain, but testing was overshadowed by Verstappen’s controversy, Williams’ resurgence, and bizarre track incidents.

As the sun set over the Bahrain International Circuit, the 2025 pre-season testing sessions came to a close with George Russell setting the fastest time of the day, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen. However, beyond the stopwatch, the third and final day of testing at Sakhir was punctuated by on-track incidents, garage intrigue, and unexpected controversies.

Morning Session: Leclerc Leads as Antonelli Shines

The day began under clearer skies compared to the previous sessions, with Charles Leclerc asserting early dominance. The Ferrari driver clocked the best lap of the morning with a 1’30″811, outpacing the much-discussed rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who continued to impress in the Mercedes.

The morning wasn’t without its issues. Oliver Bearman’s Haas suffered a bizarre bodywork failure, shedding parts of its rear cover down the main straight, briefly bringing the session to a halt. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin stopped at the pit exit just minutes into the session, requiring a swift recovery.

Not all problems were mechanical. A surprising twist occurred when Dmitry Mazepin, father of former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin, was spotted in the paddock, despite his official exclusion from the sport. The FIA and F1’s security teams were reportedly scrambling to determine how he had gained access.

The morning concluded with a strange red flag after a glass panel from the starting gantry shattered and fell onto the circuit, adding to a growing list of unusual disruptions over the three days.

Afternoon Session: Williams Impresses, Red Bull Stirs Controversy

With the morning session completed, attention shifted to the final six hours of testing, featuring new faces behind the wheel. Among them, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took over for Mercedes, while Alex Albon and Williams emerged as the surprise package of the afternoon.

Early on, the session was halted once again—this time for reasons beyond anyone’s expectations. A tourist bus inexplicably ended up in a circuit runoff area, causing an immediate red flag. The FIA is now investigating how such a bizarre security lapse occurred.

On track, Gasly and Russell traded fastest laps, with Gasly leading for much of the afternoon before Russell ultimately set the benchmark at 1’29″545—just 0.021s faster than Verstappen, who was testing a new Red Bull floor concept. However, the Dutchman struggled with the updated setup, making multiple uncharacteristic errors in the final hour.

• Discover More>F1 Pre-Season Testing in Sakhir – Day 1: Norris Leads as Teams Encounter Challenges

Meanwhile, Verstappen found himself at the center of another controversy. During the midday break, footage emerged of the Red Bull driver giving a middle-finger gesture towards the Williams garage, sparking immediate speculation. While no official explanation was given, the FIA has reportedly begun an investigation, with a potential fine looming for the reigning champion.

Key Takeaways from Bahrain Testing

1. Mercedes vs Red Bull – A Tight Battle Brewing?
   While Russell’s best time suggests Mercedes has pace, Red Bull’s uncharacteristically shaky afternoon with its new floor raises questions about the RB21’s adaptability.
2. Williams’ Resurgence – Genuine Pace or Testing Deception?
   Alex Albon’s strong afternoon, finishing P3, hints that Williams may no longer be a backmarker. Team Principal James Vowles had predicted a competitive step forward—has he been proven right?
3. McLaren’s Consistency – Dark Horse for 2025?
   Oscar Piastri finished fourth, while Lando Norris showed flashes of raw speed in the morning. McLaren’s long-run pace looked particularly strong, suggesting they could be podium contenders in Melbourne.
4. Ferrari’s Quiet Strength – But How Fast Are They?
   Leclerc led the morning, but Ferrari didn’t push in the afternoon. Are they holding back, or do they lack the outright pace to challenge for pole positions?
5. Alpine and Aston Martin Struggle for Answers
   Alpine admitted it’s unlikely to compete with the front-runners, while Aston Martin had an erratic test, with Lance Stroll battling illness and Alonso facing technical gremlins.

Looking Ahead to Melbourne

While pre-season testing often raises more questions than it answers, the 2025 pecking order remains unclear. Mercedes and Red Bull still seem like the teams to beat, but McLaren and Williams’ strong performances suggest that the grid may be tighter than expected.

• Discover More>F1 Testing in Sakhir, Day 2: Sainz Leads, Ferrari Strong, Mercedes in Contention

With just two weeks until the Australian Grand Prix, the talking points from Bahrain—from Verstappen’s gesture to Red Bull’s alleged “mini-DRS” controversy—will undoubtedly carry over into Melbourne. If the drama from testing is any indicator, the 2025 season could be one of the most unpredictable in years.

Lap Times and Laps Completed on the Third and Final Day:

• Discover More>Wolff suggests that Horner was booed due to the harassment case
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